Improvement in magic-lantern slides



A. H. TIFFT.

MAGIC-LANTERN SLIDE.

Patented Jan. 18, 1876.

In yard/5r W'rzmr as N-FEFERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTONv D. C

Uivrrn'n STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

ALANSON H. TIFFT, OF'BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN MAGIC-LANTERN SLIDES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 172,524., dated January18, 1876; application filed January 11, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALANSON H. TIFFT, of Brooklyn, in the State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Magic-LanternSlides, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to the sliding pictureholding'frames ordinarilyused with magic lanterns.

In the magic lanterns made by differentmanufacturers there is verylittle uniformity in details of construction. They, however, are allalike in this, that they are calculated to accommodate a picture mountedin a wood frame of about four by seven inches, and from threeeighthsinch to one-half inch thick. The ordinary way of mounting the picture,which is on glass, in the slide is to cut the glass to fit the roundopening, and then to fit it therein, and secure it by a metallic wirehoop, held in place by nails or tacks. The objections to this mode ofmounting the picture are many: First, the glass is liable to be brokeninthe operation of cutting; second, the picture is apt to turn in theframe, which is a serious objection, because when it is projected ontothe screen and magnified, say, one hundred times, the least variation isperceptible; third, the nails and hoop are in the way in cleaning theglass; fourth, none but the manufacturer or the expert can mount thepictures, because the picture is formed of two pieces of glass fastenedtogether at the edges by paper or muslin securely glued, and to cut themeach must be bent from the surface scratched by the dia mond, whichwould be toward each other.

I propose to retain the picture in the condition in which it is firstput on the marketi. 6., of square or rectangular shape-and to providemeans by which it may be securely held in position in the frame, and inproper relation to the round opening therein. For this purpose I make awooden frame or slide, in which there is combined, with the usualopening for displaying the picture, a pocket of rectangular form, and ofdimensions suited to receive the picture without requiring any cuttingor alteration of the latter; and I prefer to so make the slide that onepicture can be removed and replaced by another whenever desired.

The manner in which my invention is or may be carried into effect willbe understood by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figure l is a perspective view of a magiclantern slide embodying myinvention in its preferred form. Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views ofthe two pnrtsviz.,the auxiliary sliding pocket, and the main framewhichcompose the slide.

The main frame A is of wood, having the usual dimensions of amagic-lantern slide, and provided with the ordinary opening a. On one ofits faces it is recessed or cut away around the opening a, forming arecess, b, the vertical sides of which are undercut, as seen at c. Thepiece 0, which I have termed the sliding pocket, is of a size to fit therecess, and has vertical edges d, which fit and engage the grooved orundercut sides 0, and has a round central opening, a. On that face ofthe piece 0 contiguous to the face of the main frame A is a pocket orrecess, d, with rectangular sides, and of a size to receive therectangular picture Without requiring any alteration or cutting of thelatter.

To mount the picture, it is placed in the pocket d, and the piece 0 isthen fitted to the frame A, where it may be secured by screws orotherwise.

The advantages of thus constructing the slide are many: First, it issimple, and can be cheaply made. Second. The glasses being square, thereisno possibility of their turning. Third. A picture of any size can bemounted in the frame. The pocket in the piece B is large enough for thelargest picture. If a smaller picture is used it can be readily securedin. place by pins or other well-known means before the sliding pocket isfitted to the main frame. Fourth. Any one can mount the pictures withoutcutting or trimming them in any way. Fifth. One picture, if desired, canbe readily removed and replaced by another. For this purpose a screw canbe used to hold the two parts A 0 together. If, however, it is desiredto hold the picture permanently, the two parts can be glued together.Sixth. A picture thus mounted is uniform with other mounted pictures nowin the market, and can be used in any lantern.

I would here remark that while the arrangement of undercut edges ispreferable, yet in some instancese. g., where two or more holding-screwsare used, or if the two pieces are glued together-acut at right angleswith the face of the frame would answer.

The prominent feature of the slide will be seen to consist in thecombination, in the magic-lantern slide frame made of wood, or ofopening.

The preferred form of my invention has been above described; but thesame general result may be arrived at in other ways, as may be seen byreference to Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive.

7 Figs. 4, 5, Grepresent three rectangular wooden strips of equaldimensions, which, when put together, form a slide of the usual size.Strips e f are counterparts of one another, and have coincidingdisplay-openings a. v Strip g has a rectangular opening, h, of a size toreceive the picture. When the picture is fitted in the opening 71., thethree strips are put together,

the strip 9 in the middle, and are then fastened by glue or otherwise;or 1 may take a solid slide, 2', Fig. 7, having a display-opening, a, v

and cut in it a slot or kerf, k, in'whichthe picture can be inserted,and there held by suitable means-as, for instance, a thin wooden piece,6, Fig. 8.

Many other ways of constructing the slide might be suggested. The above,however, will suffice to indicate the variety of ways in which myinvention may be carried into effect, the essential feature being, asabove stated, the slide-frame, having a display-opening and a pocketadapted to receive and retain the rectangular glass without requiringany cutting, trimming, or other alteration-ofthe latter. 7

Having described my invention, I shall state my claim as follows:

1. The wooden magic-lantern slide provided with a round or ovaldisplay-opening, and a pocket to receive and hold a rectangular pictureor glass, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the main frame of the slide formed with adisplay-opening and recess, of the auxiliary picture-holding pocket,

substantially as herein described, and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3,inclusive.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 10th day ofJanuary, A. D. 1876.

1 A. H. TIFFT. Witnesses:

A. J. ORTON,

J. H. ROMAN.

